by Jewel Adams
The horrible dream finally ended and in its place Cassie found a calming peace accompanied by a euphoric feeling of being safe. And there was a man. Oh, how she held to her vision of him. She never remembered a dream like this before and she wanted it to stay…forever.
Such green eyes, they looked so deeply into her own, setting off a wild, electrifying sensation that left her all warm and soft inside. The power of her dream became unsettling. How she wanted to touch him, especially that wind-blown mane of sun-kissed copper hair--the one stray lock that fell so innocently across his wide bronzed brow…such a temptation. Oh yes, he was a handsome man. One that possessed undeniably proud features that took her breath away. A vision she wished she could lock away and take out to caress and fantasize over when she was alone. No more lonely nights and vacant days.
Tossing against the thought that he was only a dream, Cassie fought to hold onto the memory. Don’t leave me.
The light intruded trying to steal the dream. Cassie didn’t want to wake up, but once he left she found no reason to remain in the haven his presence granted.
Strange how hard it became to open her eyes, they felt so heavy. After several tries she did get them open, at least she believed she was awake. Something…no, everything was different.
Rapidly blinking, she tried to clear the unusual images fogging her mind. But the visions remained. What were the huge beams and multi-pane windows doing there, above her? “I must still be asleep…”
Did you feel a dream? Because Cassie did have the weirdest sensation of being held!
The conviction grew stronger as she became more aware of her surroundings. The room didn’t seem as important as the weight pinning her down. Fighting the rush of panic, Cassie made some tentative moves to shift her weight. All attempts stopped over the searing pain striking her shoulder. Remaining perfectly still, she struggled to breathe until it finally subsided.
What or who she saw lying with his head on the pillow beside her own was a revelation.
Snapping her eyes shut, she whispered to hear her voice. “Ok Cassie, he’s only a dream. A dream you can make disappear.” She faced worse things in her life. Drawing on courage she didn’t really possess, she forced her eyes open.
Staring wide eyed at her vision she told herself to make him vanish. When nothing happened, she tried again. Cassie realized it was his arm and body effectively keeping her from moving. But, his hold didn’t prevent her from feeling. Groaning over the very real pressure of his body against hers, Cassie couldn’t stop the assault of questions rising over the discovery.
He’s real…heavens, he is as real as I am. Then this isn’t some wild fantasy. She stared at him. Had it all really happened?
The horrible memories came like some frightening collision. The plane…terrorist, the gun…and the crash! Biting her lip to hold back the weeping sobs, Cassie did remember. “Let me forget. Oh please, stop it all.”
But where did he come from? Where was she? All the evidence said she should be dead. The bullet, yes she had been shot…her shoulder! And the plane exploded and crashed into the ocean.
Trying to remember past the falling only a dark void existed…except for him.
Looking at him she couldn’t deny that he was her dream, but he wasn’t a dream. No, he was a very real man. With coppery gold hair and high cheekbones, he looked regal. His full firm lips were gentled in sleep. But even in repose the powerful chin and jaw line weren’t to be ignored. Neither was the smooth muscled chest and shoulders or the large arm under her breast. She didn’t have to see the thick, virile thighs to know they were entwined with her own. Their hold hinted of the potency in the man they belonged to.
Cassie could almost find the prospect of escaping him laughable. What happened to her? And, more important, how did she end up in this man’s…bed!
He felt her eyes on him before her petite form tensed, alerting his senses. Even in sleep he sensed every soft breath. Blaine never slept in waking contentment with any woman, before this night. He found the experience extremely enjoyable.
Cassie couldn’t stop staring at him. A bit of apprehension started over the thought of him waking up. She didn’t want to forget anything about him, just in case he vanished when his eyes opened. It seemed a little nutty, but she almost believed she might be a part of his dream. Maybe once he woke they would lose each other. If she could have she would have held on to him to prevent him from leaving her.
Ah, her eyes were as lovely as he remembered, shimmering blue. He’d seen the waters of a lagoon with that coloring once. The depths were warm and inviting.
“You are awake, my lady.”
If she must go, Cassie never wanted to miss being looked at by him. She let his warmth surround her, hoping it would be enough to hold him to her.
Temptation proved a defeating opponent. Bringing his hand up he buried his fingers into the midnight lace curls at the side of her head. The thickest sable wouldn’t be as sensual. The way she closed her eyes in slow, seeking beauty sent a tremor through him. Blaine consciously tightened his embrace to keep her where he decided she belonged. The depths gave you to me and only a fool would throw you back…and I have always prided myself on not coming close to that affliction.
“How are you feeling?”
Opening her eyes, she wondered how he could sound so exciting. Everything was going wild inside her. If he did disappear it must happen soon another moment in heaven only to have it snatched away would be cruel.
Maybe she still had a fever? Placing his palm on her cheek she felt warm, not feverish.
“Are you awake…am I?”
Blaine almost laughed over her first words but seeing the serious concentration in her gaze. “Yes, we are, though I have never experienced a more wonderful dream.”
Blushing over the humor she heard from his low voice Cassie guessed she did sound silly.
“Are you feeling all right?” Hiding his reaction wasn’t easy.
“Besides my shoulder…yes, I guess I do.”
He felt relieved but knew he was stalling. He should be on deck. At the least he should rise from the bed. Lying beside her was taking advantage of a situation that no longer existed.
“What happened…I mean, where am I?”
Were her eyes glistening with unshed tears? His anger went deep for his callousness in not realizing how confused she must be. Blaine moved carefully in order not to jostle her, easing off the bed and away from her.
He’s leaving! Free of his warmth Cassie felt the cold move up her spine. The fears that weren’t heard before seemed to be screaming at her now.
Clutching the covers to keep a hold of herself she never took her eyes away from him. He pulled on a large-sleeved shirt. The gray pants fit like a second skin enhancing the athletic shape she became rather familiar with.
“I’ll send down some hot tea and broth.”
“You’re leaving…” She failed to keep the panic from her voice.
“You are safe, my lady, nothing will harm you on the Stargazer.” Blaine didn’t like the way she looked, nor what he felt caused the appearance of fear darkening her bright eyes.
He used ‘my lady’ again. Why was his speech so formal? “The Stargazer?”
“My ship.”
“Ship?” Keeping the questions from popping out proved useless.
“Yes.” He felt himself stiffen in growing awareness. “What was the name of the ship you were on, madam?”
What did he mean? Shaking her head to clear it, “I…a ship?” She made less sense than he did, but her thoughts were all mixed up.
Seeing how distressed his question made her, he silently cursed his impatience. “You need to rest, we will talk later.”
“You’ll come back, won’t you?”
He eased her good hand away from the hold she maintained on the blanket kissing the back of its delicate shape. Her eyes followed his action in childlike wonder. “Nothing could stop me. If I were to know your name I am sure I would return so
oner.”
Breathless over the way his gaze held hers, “Cassandra Malone, but everyone calls me Cassie.”
“Cassie…remind me to ask you how you received such an interesting combination, Spanish and Irish, it’s a volatile match.”
Not half as much as you are, thankfully her thoughts remained her own. “And you, sir?” Formal he was, so she would be.
“Captain Blaine Sterling, at your service.”
Nodding in astonishment, “Captain…Blaine Sterling.”
Smiling over her stutter, “Soup and tea?”
“Maybe.”
Nodding in understanding he left her to stare after him.
She brought her gaze back to her hand when the door shut. “Captain?”
Taking a tentative look around her she realized she was in…a cabin. The captain’s quarters?
The chart table seemed to say it was true. The objects on it drew Cassie’s brows together in worried concern. “A sextant and compass?” Hurriedly scanning the room, “An oil lamp? Pitcher and basin? The open beams…What kind of a ship is this?”
Holding her hand to her lips she knew this wasn’t any ordinary ship…it was ancient! Maybe he was into some kind of regatta that raced ancient ships as a hobby?
Closing her eyes she concentrated. “No engine.” The more she discovered, the crazier her thoughts became. “Nothing. Not one modern piece in the whole room.”
Either Captain Sterling was a total eccentric or she was crazy! Cassie didn’t like either thought. She needed to make some sense out of all that was happening.
Pushing back the covers, she carefully edged her legs over the side of the high bed.
“Go slow, Cassie.” The slightest pressure made her shoulder throb and send out twinges of warning sparks. Managing to push herself up with her good arm, she sat with her legs dangling over the side until the wave of dizziness subsided. Determined to see for herself where and what she was on, she forced herself to slide off the bed. She nearly fell when her knees began to fail, but managed to hold herself up. It was several moments before she could make her foot inch out for her first step.
The intense throbbing in her shoulder made the door seem miles away. The discoveries to be found beyond the barrier were too important to give in to her body’s cry. But reaching it made minutes turn into hours. The struggle to open the monstrous hulk of wood on the massive leather hinges almost killed her determination.
The blue sky glaring through the high opening at the end of the tight hall appeared impossible to reach. Cassie refused to quit. She used the wall to help her reach the slanted stairs. Moving up the rungs on her bottom, the fresh air above her replaced some of the energy the obstacles stole away.
Pacing her strength, she finally reached the top. Leaning against the large, raised platform that covered the stairwell, Cassie’s eyes slowly adjusted to the bright sunlight.
The breeze whipping her hair around tasted of salt. What she stood on, most definitely looked like a ship. Big, the open deck was alive with men. Her eyes followed up the large mast, Cassie couldn’t take in the full expanse of billowing white sails. Three, no, four masts held the enormous canvasses, all straining out to hold the wind.
Captain Sterling wasn’t joking. His was certainly a…ship! She’d only seen something like this in books. Increasingly aware of every detail, as hard as she tried, she couldn’t find the slightest evidence of age. It was beautiful!
My God, the work and expense he must have put into her to accomplish this. Why hadn’t she ever read anything about this ship? What had he called her? The Stargazer. Any relic preserved like this would have drawn newspaper notoriety.
Well, she would see that it did! The photo layouts would be superb. It may be out of her normal field, but she would use any excuse to take it on.
Excited, she wanted to see the ocean and how the ship moved through the waves. Stepping away from her support she wavered dangerously. Too much for the first time… Her legs felt like rubber making her decide against trying the stairs. At least no one noticed her in the shadows. She would rest a minute then go back before they did.
The breeze started getting cooler, almost uncomfortable. For the first time she noticed what she wore. His shirt! The thing barely reached her knees. The open sides rose high up her thighs. The daring tug and lift of the billowing material… “Oh, stars! I’ve nothing on beneath this!”
They’ll think her a fool coming up here dressed this way!
She saw him then and the sight ended all other concerns. Heart stopping, she watched the way he moved across the upper deck. The long strides held such vibrant authority and confidence over everything around him. The men looked at him in respect, an honest detail she stored away. Where the ship stood out as an enchanting piece of workmanship, her Captain was one of a kind in male magnetism.
The thought made her dizzy. Groaning, Cassie realized the Captain had nothing to do with the weakness overtaking her.
A split second was all Blaine hesitated before vaulting over the quarterdeck rail to reach her before she collapsed. Scooping her limp form up in his arms, “Damn!” He rushed her back to his cabin.
Kicking the door open he quickly reached the bed and placed her down, pulling the covers over her.
A check of her shoulder eased some of the stern lines creasing his brow. “At least you didn’t start it bleeding.”
“Captain…”
“What were you doing on deck?”
Concern made his voice harsher than he realized. He didn’t know whom he was angrier with when she flinched.
“I only wanted to see…the ship.”
“Cassandra Malone, I will give you the grand tour if only you will stay put for a while.”
“Yes…I am tired.”
Sleep over took her before he could say anything more. Coming closer Blaine kissed her soft brow. “Sweet dreams.”
Blaine’s laughter echoed through the room. “What other surprises do you have in store for me…my Cassandra?”
CHAPTER 3
Broken Ties
“Don’t bring her here Blaine.”
“Alisa?” He had never seen his sister like this. The storm reflected in her eyes only touched on the troubles he faced since his arrival in Williamsburg.
“I am sorry…I missed you.”
Pulling her to him, Blaine held his little sister. He wished he could take away the world’s troubles that she seemed to have gathered in his absence. “I am going to White Haven. Will you come with me?”
“Yes! When do we leave?”
“You can leave with me now.”
“Blaine, will you come for me tomorrow?”
“Nothing will stop me…come now, Alisa.”
“No, I must say goodbye to mother.” Placing her finger over his tight lips, “No Blaine, I will be fine. We will talk later.”
He turned away before he lost his temper. He heard the heavy steps then.
John Gallagher’s portly frame came through the parlor door without the slightest thought of common politeness to its occupants. The man grumbled in his throat as if it were too heavy a burden to speak. “I thought I heard rumors you were back.”
Blaine gave the man a curt nod. “We docked this morning.”
“Been gone a long time.”
The man’s warring tone made Alisa grip Blaine’s hand to still the fury Blaine wanted to release.
“You can’t stay long…my time is valuable.”
Blaine’s anger was more than he could contain, only his sister’s presence kept him from the bastard’s swarthy throat. The scum should be nervous over facing the man whose wealth and inheritance he stole!
“You…”
“Blaine please?”
He jerked his gaze away from the runty dark eyes that were enjoying his hindering position. Blaine must leave now before the ugly words disintegrated whatever family they had left.
Heated strides took him to the door. “Where is mother?”
Dropping her eyes,
“She is out…as usual.”
“What is going on around here, Alisa?”
Imploring him with a look she always used to control her big brother. “Later Blaine. I will explain everything--just go for now.”
Blaine swore beneath his struggle not to utter any rebuke. Alisa always put mother before herself. Funny, he used to be jealous of the closeness between Alisa and their parents. But since he’d been old enough to think for himself he came to detest the way they used her love.
He would leave for now, but she would come to White Haven--if he had to drag her out of the scoundrel’s house!
In seething silence Blaine watched her go back inside. Looking up at the stark red brick home he wondered why he felt nothing for the place. A child’s home should hold warm memories. Blaine’s sharp, jaded stare struck out against the love that disappeared long ago. “The bastard can have it and good ridden!”
Mounting the horse he never looked back, but he was anxious to have a private talk with his sister. Much happened since his departure, more than he’d been told. Gallagher held control of the estate. As angry as he was that his mother gave his inheritance away to the likes of a man like that, a year at sea cooled most of his outrage.
He never waited around for his father to hand him anything. Becoming a wealthy man in his own right he didn’t need his father’s shipping line. White Haven was proof of just how well Blaine could do for himself. The plantation proved a sound investment over the last two years.
His mother’s husband was the only problem Blaine faced, except for one very beautiful lady.
Thinking of her Blaine’s anger vanished. How could anyone hold ugly thoughts when Miss Malone waited for his return? Cassie was a unique lady and Blaine’s curiosity concerning her became insatiable. In three short days she intrigued him more than seeing her riding the waves on that strange silver flotsam. As different as she was pretty, the woman was a strange blend of soft femininity and willful independence. Add a strong dash of mystery and you possess one volatile mixture in an extremely tempting package.
He hoped Alisa could have helped the girl. He didn’t want to subject her to an overland journey to reach White Haven, but Blaine’s indisputable decision that she would remain under his protection left no alternative. The plantation was deep in the frontier and he did worry about the danger that still resided in the wilderness. She was healing very well since he made her promise not to leave the bed. But beneath the outward display of calm courage she maintained, he caught glimpses of pure fear. He could understand her confusion at first. Finding herself on a strange ship, after her mysterious ordeal, wouldn’t be ease to deal with, but something told him it went deeper than that.